Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) released its 2017 local housing reports for the three counties and their municipalities at the association’s Media Breakfast on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

According to CAR, REALTORS® in the Tri-County area sold 3,795 homes worth a total of $873.4 million throughout 2017. The average sale price of a home was $230,161. When compared to five years ago, inventory decreased by 6.2 percent, new contracts increased by 39.7 percent, home sales increased by 41.5 percent, and home values increased by 2.9 percent.

“Overall, the Lower Shore’s real estate market is doing very well,” said CAR President Joel Maher. “In many areas, we’re seeing 2017 numbers that surpass pre-recession numbers, which is incredible. There is a strong demand in our area,...

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – The deadline for installation of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in some rental properties is April 1, 2018, and the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) is reminding the public that alarms are only required in properties that contain a carbon monoxide source.

In 2016, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 849 and its companion Senate Bill 182. These bills require the installation of carbon monoxide alarms for any new and existing rental units that contain any fuel burning equipment or wood burning appliance, or has an enclosed attached garage. They are not required in rental dwelling units that are powered solely by an electric power supply,...

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – Local home prices are down, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

February 2018 saw an overall 25.2 percent dip in single family home and condominium average sale prices compared to the same time last month in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home prices decreased by 29.9 percent in Worcester, by 20.3 percent in Wicomico, and by 43.7 percent in Somerset. Condominium sale prices increased by four percent in Worcester and decreased by 71.2 percent in Wicomico. There was no data available for Somerset condominium sale prices. Listing prices in all three counties also decreased by an overall 25.2 percent.

Inventory was down overall by 11.2 percent in all three counties compared to the same time last year. Individually, single family home inventory was down by 20.9 percent in Worcester and by 32.5...

Salisbury, Md. – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® held its first Bowling for Business Cards networking event and competition on Friday, January 26, 2018 at SouthBound Alley in Salisbury.

Team ‘Coldwell Banker Bowlers’ won first place in CAR’s inaugural Bowling for Business Cards event. (From left) Steve Parsons, Greg Erdie, Brad Rayfield, and CAR President Joel Maher.

Nine teams of CAR members and guests competed to earn the top three scores. Winners received trophies and gift cards. First place went to Coldwell Banker Bowlers, comprised of Greg Erdie, CAR President Joel Maher, Steve Parsons, and Brad Rayfield. Second place went to The Strikers, comprised of Kayla Bandy, Neda Cox, Mitch Marriner, and Andy McBride. Third place went to Wells Fargo Team,...

The first month of 2018 saw an overall 12.9 percent jump in single family home and condominium contracts compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home contracts increased by 35.4 percent in Wicomico County, but decreased by 1.6 percent in Worcester and by 6.7 percent in Somerset. Condominium contracts increased by 7.4 percent in Worcester County and by 200 percent in Somerset County, but decreased by 33.3 percent in Wicomico.

Settlements were up overall by 0.5 percent in the Tri-County area. Individually, single family home settlements increased by 88.9 percent in Somerset, but decreased by five percent in Worcester and by 11.9 percent in...

This annual event is an opportunity for REALTOR® and affiliate members to meet with their individual state senators and delegates to discuss real estate and homeowner issues. CAR joined hundreds of REALTORS® and affiliates from across...

CAR members respond to possible elimination of USDA loans in Ocean Pines

January 19, 2018

Ocean Pines, Md. – An upcoming review conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could result in Ocean Pines’ loss of eligibility for Rural Housing Development Program loans, and members of the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) are concerned about funding accessibility for future buyers.

Last month, the USDA Rural Development Delaware/Maryland State Office released a public notice stating the department is conducting a review of all areas under its jurisdiction to identify those that no longer qualify as rural for housing programs. This review is done every five years, according to the notice, and will utilize the 2015 American Community Survey data. Among the areas under review in Maryland is Ocean Pines in Worcester County.

Lester Chandler of Coldwell Banker Residential on 64th Street in Ocean City, Charles “Chuck” Shorley of Shore-Lea Realty in Ocean City, and Michael Weisner of Weisner Real Estate in Salisbury were approved as National REALTOR® Emeritus during the 2017 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Annual...

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – The holidays on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore boasted a slight increase in real estate activity, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

December 2017 saw an overall one percent jump in single family home and condominium contracts compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home contracts increased by 5.3 percent in Wicomico County, decreased by 21.6 percent in Worcester County, and remained the same in Somerset County. Condominium contracts increased by 20 percent in Worcester and by 100 percent in Somerset, but remained the same in Wicomico.

Settlements were up overall by 2.2 in the Tri-County area. Individually, single family home settlements were up by 5.3 percent in Worcester County and were down by 3.9 percent in Wicomico and by 21.1 percent in Somerset....

Ocean City, Md. – The over 200 members of the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) who attended the association’s 2017 Holiday Party at Seacrets donated 497 pounds of nonperishable food items and over $450 in cash to the Maryland Food Bank of the Eastern Shore.

Joel Maher, a REALTOR® for Coldwell Banker Residential in Salisbury, was installed as president of the association’s board.

“It is an honor and a privilege to lead the association into another successful year,” Maher said. “CAR will continue to provide excellent service to its over 1,000 members while also increasing its outreach to consumers...

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – The local real estate market is seeing increased pending contracts and settlements compared to last year, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

November 2017 saw a 7.7 percent jump in single family home and condominium contracts compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home contracts increased by 22.4 percent in Worcester County, and remained the same in Wicomico and Somerset counties. Condominium contracts increased by 125 percent in Wicomico, and remained the same in Worcester and Somerset.

Settlements were up by 12.7 in the Tri-County area. Individually, single family home settlements were up by 31.7 percent in Worcester County and by 26.7 percent in Somerset, but were down by 11.4 percent in Wicomico. Condominium settlements were up by 14.3 percent in Worcester...

This honor goes annually to a select group of individuals recognized for outstanding professional achievements in commercial real estate. Miller was one of 38 REALTORS® recognized in the National Awards booklet, which was distributed at this year’s REALTOR® Conference & Expo in Chicago. He will also be recognized in an upcoming issue of NAR’s Commercial Connections, which is mailed to nearly 80,000 members of NAR,...

Berlin, Md. – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) is encouraging local teachers and students to participate in the annual Fair Housing Art Contest, which sends winning students to Annapolis for a meeting with the governor or other state official.

Sponsored by the Maryland REALTORS®, the contest is a means for REALTORS® across the state to help increase awareness of this important issue. “Fair housing” pertains to the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale and rental of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. The contest aims to teach children that discrimination is not only wrong, but illegal.

The format of the Fair Housing contest has changed, in that winning submissions will be displayed in an informational fair housing brochure that will be distributed statewide to public libraries, housing counseling agencies, and...

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – The local real estate market is seeing increased pending contracts and home prices compared to last year, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

October 2017 saw a 29.7 percent jump in single family home and condominium contracts compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home contracts increased by 34.7 percent in Worcester County, by 20.2 percent in Wicomico, and by 26.7 percent in Somerset. Condominium contracts increased by 29.3 percent in Worcester, by 200 percent in Wicomico, and remained the same in Somerset.

Settlements were down slightly – by 3.5 percent – in the Tri-County area. Individually, single family home settlements were up by 15.6 percent in Worcester County and by 45.5 percent in Somerset, but were down by 42.7 percent in Wicomico. Condominium...

Berlin, Md. – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) announced today that the organization raised $10,000 for the Wicomico and Worcester County chapters of Habitat for Humanity.

(From left) Olive Mawyer, Event and Marketing Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County; Matthew Manos, President of Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County; Don Bailey, President of CAR; and Molly Hilligoss, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County.

2016-17 CAR President Don Bailey chose Habitat for Humanity as the charity the association would support throughout his presidency.

“Habitat’s mission of helping local families realize the dream of homeownership is very much in line with what real estate...

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – The local real estate market is seeing increased inventory and pending contracts compared to last year, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

September 2017 saw a 14.2 percent jump in single family home and condominium listings compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home listings increased by 8.4 percent in Worcester County, by 13.7 percent in Wicomico County, and by 15.8 percent in Somerset County. Condominium listings increased by 20 percent in Worcester County and by 100 percent in Somerset County, while Wicomico County saw a 22.2 percent decrease.

Pending contracts were also up overall in the Tri-County area by 26.5 percent. Individually, single family home contracts were up by 38.6 percent in Worcester County and by 33.3 percent in Somerset County, but were...

Berlin, Md. – In observance of National REALTOR® Safety Month, the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) offered various safety resources and materials to its members through September.

CAR’s Safety Course for Real Estate Professionals was taught by Walt Taraila of Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva and was attended by 30 REALTOR® members.

On September 27, 2017, CAR offered the Safety Course for Real Estate Professionals to its members, free of charge. The course was held at the CAR Training Center in Berlin and was taught by Walt Taraila of Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva. The three-hour Continuing Education course covered a variety of topics, including personal safety, self-defense, and examples of potential threats, among others. The course...

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – Local REALTORS® saw a spike in market activity throughout July, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

July 2017 saw a four percent overall increase in single family home and condominium contract starts compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home contracts increased by 16.9 percent in Worcester County, by 19.8 percent in Wicomico County, and by 64.3 percent in Somerset County. Condominium contracts increased by 4.7 percent in Worcester County, but decreased by 22.2 percent in Wicomico County and by 100 percent in Somerset County.

Settlements were also up overall in the Tri-County area by 2.5 percent. Individually, single family home settlements were down by 6.6 percent in Worcester County and by 5.3 percent in Somerset County, but were up by 14.8 percent in...

Ocean City, MD – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) will host a Beach Yoga fundraiser to benefit Habitat for Humanity on Monday, August 21 from 6 to 7 PM at the 16th Street Beach in Ocean City.

The cost to participate is a $20 donation that will benefit Habitat for Humanity. Pre-registration is available at www.coastalrealtors.org.

The instructor is Dawn Ehman, co-owner of Yogavibez in West Ocean City.

Following the session, participants are invited to join the group for Happy Hour at Surfin’ Betty’s, located at 16th Street and the Boards.

For more information about this event, call Lauren Bunting at 410-422-9899 or send an email to lwbunting@comcast.net.

Lower Eastern Shore, Md. – The official start of the summer season on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore saw increased contract starts, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

June 2017 saw a 23.5 percent overall increase in single family home and condominium contract starts compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. Individually, single family home contracts increased by 21.4 percent in Worcester County, by 11.5 percent in Wicomico County, and by five percent in Somerset County. Condominium contracts increased by 39.4 percent in Worcester County and by 83.3 percent in Wicomico County. Somerset County condominium contracts decreased by 50 percent.

Settlements were largely down in the Tri-County area by 7.5 percent. Individually, single family home settlements decreased by 13.7 percent in Worcester County and by 13.6 percent...